My Grandmothers’ quilts and Psalm 90

Last year, I had several quilt tops from my grandmothers quilted. These quilts had been pieced together by my paternal and maternal grandmothers and one was most probably worked on my maternal great-grandmother. The woman who quilted them thought that one was probably from the 1930’s (the one with a variety of patchwork material) and the other one from the 1940’s. What a breathtaking thought, that the hands that loved and raised my parents made these quilts (most likely made from the material of their own dresses). If only, this material could tell the stories of my grandmothers – I would be spellbound by the stories these squares of material hold.

My grandmothers were born on farms in the years 1897 and 1913. My paternal Grandmother was educated through Teacher’s College (2 years was what Teacher’s College required) and taught school before she married (a rarity for women in that day). When I think of all these women lived through: roaring 20’s, the depression, World War 2, telephones-radio-TV invention, a man on the moon along with their family events of a child with polio, selling their livestock because of disease, a father’s suicide – I realize how different my life has been. My Grandmothers were not like I am as a Grammie (whose focus is to invest in each grandchild) – they were no nonsense women who worked incredibly hard as farm wives and for their family’s survival Making a quilt was a practical job for a blanket that was needed by the family and would be used. They would truly be aghast at how much I paid to have these quilted!

And now I am delighted to have these hand-crafted masterpieces grace our home as reminders of the women from my family. Recently, I was reading Psalm 90, a psalm full of reminders that life is passing quickly. Someday, my great-granddaughter may be reading this blog about her great, great, great grandmothers’ quilts. “We are like grass that is green in the morning but mowed down and withered before the evening shadows fall.” Psalm 90:6

Although, I will not leave behind beautiful hand-crafted quilts created from my clothes – I pray that those who will come after me, will have my thoughts about faith, family and life documented in my Bibles and blog (if they can still access this blog at that time). Truly, the only lasting “thing” they can take from me is an eternal, saving relationship with my Savior. May this prayer be answered…

You know, 50+ years ago, my grandmothers were going about their lives, just as I am today – living planning and hoping for their days. As Psalm 90 tells us that we may live 70-80 years, if God allows, years that are filled with hardships and struggle, but always revealing God’s faithfulness, giving us constant hope until the end.

“let the Lord our God favor us and give us success. May He give permanence to all we do.” Psalm 90:17